Formulations of concentrated prunes and prebiotics as laxatives and dietary supplements
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-9808497-B2
Publication Date
2017-11-07
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present invention describes a formulation comprising a prune and/or plum concentrate, and one or more water-soluble, non-digestible, prebiotic oligosaccharides. Optionally, one or more low calorie sweeteners, an antioxidant, calcium sennosides, or sennosides extract, PEG-3350, licorice, cocoa, coffee, tea flavors; fruit flavorings and spice flavorings, gelatin, agar-agar, carrageenan, pectin or cocoa powder are added. Other ingredients may be present as dietary supplements such as water-soluble vitamins, lipid-soluble vitamins; amino acids, maltodextrin, resveratrol, caffeine, mineral supplements, or natural sleep aids for use as a laxative, A variety of formulations are possible, such as premix, a laxative+energy power drink or power bar, or as a prebiotic supplement in probiotic yogurts, or in the form of gummies, chocolates, candies, and desserts such as red beans Japanese desserts. These present formulations are improved for taste, fast acting, portable and palatable laxatives, and as dietary supplements.
Core Innovation
The document describes a laxative and dietary supplement formulation that uses clarified prune concentrate or plum concentrate, with suspended insolubles removed, having a concentration of greater than 70 Brix. The formulation combines the concentrate with added water soluble, non-digestible prebiotic oligosaccharides selected from inulins having 5-20 fructose units, together with a specified concentrate-to-oligosaccharide weight ratio.
The formulation further includes an added low calorie sweetener selected from sorbitol and an added food approved antioxidant and preservative selected from citric acid. The formulation is characterized as a pleasant tasting, prebiotic laxative with the consistency of molasses without any gummy mouth feel, and it is defined for a single dose of 50 g-55 g or 1-2 fluid oz.
The disclosed concept is directed to providing constipation relief via a prebiotic laxative system that includes clarified prune or plum concentrate plus non-digestible, water soluble prebiotic oligosaccharides intended to promote beneficial colonic bacteria, while maintaining a portable and pleasant tasting character and a molasses-like consistency.
Claims Coverage
The document contains one independent claim. The claim requires multiple ingredient-type components, including clarified prune or plum concentrate, specific prebiotic oligosaccharides, sorbitol, and citric acid, and specifies concentration and ratio constraints, plus a defined single-dose amount and stated sensory/formulation character.
Clarified prune or plum concentrate above 70 Brix with insolubles removed
A therapeutically effective amount of prune concentrate or plum concentrate, or a mixture, having any suspended insolubles removed, wherein the concentrate is greater than 70 Brix.
Non-digestible inulin-type prebiotic oligosaccharides and defined concentrate-to-oligosaccharide ratio
One or more added water soluble, non-digestible, prebiotic oligosaccharides selected from inulins having 5-20 fructose units, wherein the ratio of the concentrate to the added oligosaccharides is about 90%:10% to about 60%:40% by weight.
Sorbitol low calorie sweetener in a specified range
An added low calorie sweetener selected from sorbitol present in a ratio from about 5% to about 35% by weight of the concentrate.
Citric acid antioxidant and preservative in a specified range
An added food approved antioxidant and preservative selected from citric acid present in a ratio from 0.125% to about 2% by weight of the concentrate.
Single-dose laxative with pleasant taste and molasses consistency without gummy mouth feel
The formulation is a laxative, having for a single dose 50 g-55 g or 1-2 fluid oz of the formulation, and is a pleasant tasting, prebiotic laxative having the consistency of molasses without any gummy mouth feel.
Overall, the claim coverage is focused on a laxative formulation defined by clarified prune or plum concentrate above 70 Brix, specified inulin-type prebiotic oligosaccharides with a defined concentrate-to-oligosaccharide weight ratio, sorbitol as a low calorie sweetener in a specified range, citric acid as an antioxidant/preservative in a specified range, and a defined single-dose amount with pleasant taste and molasses-like consistency without gummy mouth feel.
Stated Advantages
Pleasant tasting, prebiotic laxative.
Molasses-like consistency without any gummy mouth feel.
Documented Applications
Portability and constipation relief as a prebiotic laxative dietary supplement/laxative formulation.
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